Equitana Asia Pacific 2008

Andreas Helgstrand makes a point during his popular Dressage Masterclass conducted in the Grand Pavilion this morning.

Clearly Kate Taylor-Wheat and her wonderful 'World Star' are both working hard during the Andreas Helgstrand Masterclass this morning. Kate and 'World Star' earned even more admirers.

David Murphy from Beaufort in Victoria made the Campdraft Final with his 'Mobile Rebecca'. The Campdrafters copped the worst of the weather this morning.

With gritted teeth, Laura Macintosh from Wagga Wagga in NSW rode her 'Mister Hyde' to make the Finals of the Campdraft competition.

The oilskins say it all and it was a case of eyes right to watch David Reiter from Myrrhee in Victoria make the Campdraft Finals with his 'Strokin Oakie'.

Well known Australian Stock Horse personality, Allan Hannaford from Braidwood in NSW battles the beast and the elements as he makes the Campdraft Final this morning.

The picture of Brett Parberry we have become used to, not the cowboy of last night. Brett was riding 'Welthill' in the Andreas Helgstrand Masterclass.

The popular RACV Demonstration Arena 3 during the "Safety Around Horses" talk.

The College of Equine Dentistry stand mounted one of the many interesting exhibitions and was popular with the multitude attending Equitana. The cold, wet weather saw the exhibition halls packed to the rafters.

Equine Artist, Lyn Beaumont gets to work on her latest assignment, a painting of Olympic Eventing Team Gold Medallist, Wendy Schaeffer.

The always popular and interesting veterinarian, Dr Derek Major can even make dissecting a horse's head interesting. Here Derek answers one of the many questions posed about the topic of the workings of the horse's head.

Jan Lundquist of Ride in Style explains some of the finer points of his beautiful merchandise.

There was plenty of quality on display at the Mal Byrne Saddlery stand, and plenty of people to admire it all.

Snowing at Equitana Asia Pacific. Well not snow , but hail and it was a matter of dashing for any cover.

The Pony Club meets 'Poppy'. These Pony Club members look pleased to meet the Harness Racing mascot.

The Pony Club programme involved a talk by Olympians, Andreas Helgstrand (Danish Bronze Dressage Team member), Megan Jones (Australian Eventing Silver Medal Eventing Team), Clayton Fredericks (Australian Silver Medal Eventing Team Member) and Georgia Bruce (Australian dual Individual Bronze Medal Para Olympian). All the speakers kept the Pony Clubbers entertained and informed.

Georgia Bruce won two Bronze Medals at the Beijing Para Olympics and was one of a number of Olympians to share their experiences with the Equitana guests.

CEO and Veterinary Director of the Living Legends (The International Home of Rest for Champion Horses at Greenvale in Victoria), Dr Andrew Clarke with 1999 Melbourne Cup Winner, 'Rogan Josh' and of course, the Cup.

It was a packed Breyer classroom for Dr Andrew Mclean's talk about 'Academic Horse Training'. Dr McLean has just produced a book of the same name which was launched at Equitana.

"Ah, the computer age". These two are concentrating on the Horse Deals Virtual Tour at the Horse Deals Stand. The advance copies of the December issue were sold out in a matter of a couple of hours.

Linda Parelli is always ready with a smile and an autograph for her many admirers.

A horse for all the family! The Vaulting Demonstration created a lot of interest. With Vaulting you can get one pony for all the kids.

An American Saddlebred is put through its paces during the Breed Display today. Thirty one breeds were on display at Equitana Asia Pacific.

Hanoverians shelter from the rain. The Hanoverian Horse Society was just one of the many Breed displays and information booths in the Breeders Village.

The Arabian Horse is always popular and this one was keen to get a look in the show bag. The Breed Village was a chance to get up close and personal with 31 Breeds, which must be a great help for those deciding just what breed of horse best suits them.

Three trainers, Warwick McLean, Dan James and Shane Ransley, and three horses. The Ariat Way of the Horse got underway in the Grand Pavilion today, with the three trainers each working their unbroken horse in one of three portable round yards.

Despite the unseasonal weather the World Cup Warm Up class was popular with the Equitana spectators.

Queensland rider and Athens Olympian, Tim Amitrano is pictured with his 'TP Winnermaker' during the World Cup Warm Up class. Tim rook second place behind Chris Chugg and 'Vivant' with his Athens mount, 'Mr Innocent'.

Gawler World Cup winner, Julia Hargreaves with her imported 'Copabella Haymen' during the Prydes Feeds World Cup Warm Up class.

Spring weather in Melbourne! The intrepid make their way into the sold out Dressage Spectacular.

The Equitana Symphony led by Chris Latham on violin with William Barton on didgeridoo.

Maree Tomkinson, an absoutley talented trouper with her Grand Prix Gelding, 'Lanzaro' perform a Freestyle to the Equitana Symphony before the Grand Prix Freestyle. 'Lanzaro', not long out of quarantine had to contend with the big screen, but nonetheless produced some wonderful work.

Pauline Carnovale and her delightful and certainly in this picture, attentive, 'Clifton Court Luccini', during the IRT CDI/W Freestyle. The 17 year old gelding by Lucano was sixth with 62.05%.

Dr Kerry Mack with her wonderful and very popular Jazz stallion, 'Mayfield Pzazz'. Ever improving as a combination, Kerry and Pzazz were fourth in the IRT CDI/W with 63.80%.

Talented young dressage rider, Nadia Coghlan with her 'Northern Campion' by Northern Congress during the IRT CDI/W Freestyle.

During a break in the IRT Grand Prix Freestyle, Guy McLean entertained the capacity 4,500 crowd with yet another of his amazing poems.

Awards were made to the Olympic Equestrian Team during a break in the IRT Grand Prix Freestyle. Pictured, L-R, Rozzie Ryan, standing in for Heath, Clyde Wunderwald, owner of Heath's Olympic horse, 'Greenoaks Dundee'and the new President of the Equestrian Federation of Australia, Mary Seefried.

Three fifths of the Olympic Silver Medal Eventing Team, L-R Sonja Johnson, Shane Rose and Megan Jones.

It was line ball, but we think Heath received a bigger cheer than Andreas Helgstrand. Heath again produced the goods with Dr Margaret Evans' "getting better and better all the time" stallion, 'Regardez Moi'. The charismatic pair won the IRT Grand Prix Freestyle with 72.65%.

Olympic and World Championship rider,Rachael Sanna is making great progress with every outing riding Bev Edwards' impressive Alabaster stallion, 'Jaybee Alabaster'. The stallion was imported "in utero" by the owner.

The much anticipated Freestyle ridden by Andreas Helgstrand aboard Dr Kerry Mack's Weltmeyer stallion, 'Whisper', lived up to expectations. Andreas rode a wonderful Freestyle designed by Melissa Widdis of Fortissimo Freestyles.

Just 672 days to go before the Alltech World Equestrian Games in Kentucky USA. The major sponsors of the WEG, Alltech, had a stand at Equitana to answer the many questions posed about the much anticipated 2010 event.